Crawford County lays out 2026 road and bridge priorities; material costs, stockpiles and reimbursements discussed
Summary
Secondary roads staff told supervisors the county used roughly 5,550 tons of limestone on recent projects, reported an approximate $1.3 million gravel budget and previewed a slate of grading and bridge replacements planned for 2026; officials discussed reimbursement limits from detours and DOT coordination.
County road and bridge work took center stage in the supervisors’ reports, with secondary roads staff reviewing winter operations, material use and a tentative construction map for 2026. Staff reported recent limestone consumption of about 5,550 tons on projects and said the county’s typical gravel budget is roughly $1.3 million, with a separate limestone appropriation in the $550,000 range; combined operations exceed $1.8 million in some lines.
Engineers and road staff warned that reimbursement for detours and additional material from outside entities is not always aligned with material costs, and they described the need to coordinate with DOT and railroad partners on easements and project scheduling. The board reviewed options for culvert size, box culvert vs. bridge trade-offs, and lifecycle expectations (box culverts and multi-plate structures presented as a cost-effective option for many replacement needs).
The county presented a tentative slate of grading projects and bridge replacements for 2026; staff emphasized the schedule is tentative and dependent on weather, easements and contractor availability. Supervisors asked for continued cost monitoring and indicated they will consider stockpile levels and gradation-study results when finalizing the 2026 road budget.
What’s next: Secondary roads staff will finalize project scopes, confirm easements with landowners and coordinate design details with DOT and railroad stakeholders before formal bid or letting.
